The New Husband is a riveting thriller about the lies we tell ourselves from D. J. Palmer, the author of Saving Meghan. What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies. -Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most. -He anticipates her every need. -He would never betray her like her first husband.The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.… like her first husband.
The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.
The question is, why?
Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn’t confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.
Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina’s teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren’t afraid to use the word obsession.
Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.
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Can she really have bad luck twice in her selection of partner.
A disappearing husband which might have been holding some secrets from his wife.
The new guy in her live seems to be real loving and caring but is that his true self.
Two teenage kids. The attitude of the 13 year old girl was spot on. It easy to visualize what is happening.
This is a bone chilling thriller which makes it hard to put the book down. Expect a lot of unanswered questions along the way but it comes all together at the end.
I will not give away the story but highly recommend this book.
After almost 20 years together, Nina Garrity’s husband vanished one day under rather strange circumstances leaving her alone with their children. Not able to determine whether he’s dead or alive, Nina struggles to move on, but the more questions she asks, the more it seems she didn’t know her husband at all.
Barely a year and a half later, Nina is in a new relationship, moving into a new house with a new man despite her youngest child’s lack of compliance. Simon Fitch seems to be the perfect man: loving, attentive and always guessing Nina’s needs before she has a chance to voice them.
I have to say I was very attracted by the book’s blurb and wanted to find out what this story was all about, but I found myself with a rather predictable psychological thriller with a few unexpected twists.
The writing was good, fast paced and the story makes for a mildly entertaining read. I enjoyed the fact that the book was not only from Nina’s perspective, but her daughter Maggie’s as well and I have to say I liked the latter best. The author definitely managed to capture that pesky teenage attitude quite well and the delivery makes for a great visual image, like I could see the attitude pouring out of the character as I read.
Overall, I say it’s a decent read, but not high in my chart on this genre.
3.5 stars
THE NEW HUSBAND is a twisty psychological tale full of surprises, secrets, and danger. I enjoyed this book. I see that the reviews are quite varied so do read the book if the synopsis appeals to you.
Nina’s husband disappeared under suspicious circumstances leaving a mess in his wake. She is trying to move on, buying a home with her boyfriend Simon. Her son Conner takes to Simon from the beginning, but her daughter Maggie’s relationship with Simon is tumultuous to say the least. Is Simon too good to be true? Of course he is, but it is a wild ride as readers wait for Nina to get a clue. I was hooked on the first page, but then the story drags a bit, until a big twist is revealed. Then the pace picks up until the climactic end. The characters, for the most part, are realistic and relatable. I particularly enjoyed Maggie’s friend Ben and Daisy, the dog.
I gratefully received an ARC of this title from St. Martin’s Press and voluntarily shared my thoughts here. #TheNewHusband
A bone chilling read. The story is difficult to put down as you are amazed at the details. The psychological detail of the abuser and he events is very realistic. Simon has created a cruel reality for this family. He wants a new wife and goes to extreme lengths to ensure that things fall into place.Nina has lost her sense of trust in her instincts and fallen into his trap. The only person seeing clearly is her 13 year old daughter Maggie. Her voice in the story speaks the clearest and offers a wonderful insight from a child’s perspective. This is really a masterfully written piece of work that will make you sit up and take notice. A book you will definitely wanton your shelf to read more than once.
When Nina’s husband Glen disappears off his fishing boat her life is turned completely upside down. She and the children are left in limbo when his body isn’t found. She meets Simon, a grieving widower and they connect. Nina feels like she may finally be getting her life back if only her daughter Maggie could find a way to get along with Simon.
DJ Palmer writes a story that sucks you in from the very beginning and keeps you wondering where the next twist will take you. The New Husband will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading way into the night. Love his writing style and can’t wait for whatever comes next.
The New Husband was an enjoyable read with a few surprising twists. Maggie and her friend Ben were my favorite characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy from St. Martin’s Press.
D.J. Palmer has written a book to entertain, but it also scared me, kept me reading much later than I should have been awake, and had me cheering for a thirteen-year old and hissing whenever Simon appeared on the scene. The synopsis, briefly, is that Nina Garrity’s husband Glen disappeared seven months ago. Now, she has re-located herself and her two children into a smaller home and is living with Simon Fitch, a teacher at the middle school who seems to be the answer to her needs. Connor, her son, is as enamored with Simon as Nina because Simon plays ball with him and is teaching him to use power tools and build a robot. Maggie, the aforementioned thirteen year old, is not fooled by Simon and is determined to show her family the dark side that only she seems to be able to see. This book started slowly, but like a train, it quickly picked up speed and was hard to put down and a thrilling read. Nina does not see Simon’s dark side until she returns to work and then she is really in for a surprise as she works to protect her family from the evil that is all around them. I think my favorite character was Maggie’s new friend Ben. When all of her regular friends desert her, Ben sees her dilemma and sits with her at lunch. Ben is also the only character in the book willing to give Maggie the benefit of the doubt and listen to her qualms about Simon. I liked his calming presence and his attitude of attacking a problem with logic and thoughtfulness. All in all, this book was amazing! There were some really surprising twists that I had me dropping my jaw in absolute awe at how well the author tricked me. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers that will chill you through and through.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and also a hard copy from St. Martin’s Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC.
Too good to be true. Sounds cynical, but, more times than not, this adage fits.
Nina’s world changed when her husband was declared missing. It was a routine weekend morning, until the police officers showed up at her front door, bearing good news…and bad.
Then, a couple years later(too soon for some), Nina finds a new love in Simon. Although she’ is wary, Simon isn’t exactly a stranger(he teaches at her daughter’s school and they had previously met at a school event). But he’s evasive about his past, claiming it was too painful and Nina doesn’t want to pry. She should have.
In the best of times, a blended family is an adjustment. But, add to that, a shift of residence and the uncertainty surrounding Glen, Nina and her two children, Maggie and Connor, have a lot to grapple with. Granted, Glen was far from a perfect husband and father but still…they feel the loss, acutely. But, the Glen they lost is far different from the Glen who is missing.
Her family and friends mean everything to Nina. They are her support system and she just wants everyone to at least TRY to get along. And, she wants to take a stab at rejuvenating her social work career. As a modern, independent woman, being totally reliant on a man does not sit well with her. But, balancing personal and professional life is easier said than done. Something’s gotta give and Simon’s mixed messages aren’t helping. As expected, there are conflicts and Nina often finds herself caught in the middle. She ignores her instincts, to her detriment
Told from varying perspectives, the plot shifts smoothly in time from the present to flashbacks. Even though I could often predict what would happen next, it was an entertaining read with some good life lessons.
My first D.J. Palmer book and it was a good one to start with. Took awhile to get into it. Slow going in the beginning but after a hundred or so pages it picks up and takes off. I couldn’t put it down after that.
Though the story is pretty predictable what keeps you going is the why and who’s going to get hurt in the process.
This story is about abusive relationships. About how everything can be great in the beginning and little by little, without you even realizing the dynamics start to change.
The moral of the story is not to judge a person’s situation because you are not in that situation. I have been in that situation which could be why I found this book predictable. I repeatedly yelled “can’t you see what’s happening?” This is a good story about the progression of abusive relationships. It’s weird to say because of the subject but I think you’ll enjoy it.
This was a creepy psychological thriller! It was a little slow in the beginning as you learn the characters but then its hard to put down. I think Nina was a bit naive before she figured out Simon. I loved Maggie’s character and how she just trusted her gut feeling and didn’t give up trying to convince Nina.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book
Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers! Nina thinks she has found love again with Simon Fitch after the disappearance of her first husband. He is perfect- or is he? Her son, Conner, likes him but her daughter is not happy with the new man in her mom’s life. This book is by the author of Saving Meghan and it’s another great book! Lots of twists and turns that will leave you guessing to the end! Thank you to St. Martins’s Press for the ARC of this book!
This is a dark and delicious read for fans of the psychological suspense genre. It deals quite well with the subject of emotional abuse and the manipulation, control and escalation such abusers employ. If this is a trigger for you, this book is not for you. Otherwise, you are in for a rollercoaster of a read!!
Nina Garrity’s husband Glen disappeared 18 months ago. Things discovered in the wake of his disappearance make Nina wonder if she ever really knew him – he betrayed her in more ways than one. Dead or alive, it doesn’t really matter anymore; she knows he’s not returning to the family. She focuses on helping her children, 13-year-old Maggie and 16-year-old Conner heal from the gap left by their father’s absence.
A new man enters her life. Her friends and parents think this is a bit soon and are concerned she’s jumping into a relationship before she’s ready, but Nina feels a connection with Simon that makes her want to trust men again. He adores her and makes her feel alive again! Conner is on-board with the new relationship, and quickly builds a good relationship with Simon, but no matter what Simon does, he cannot seem to win Maggie over. She sees a darkness in him that others don’t.
The story is told from both a narrator’s POV and Maggie’s POV. As I read the book, I wondered why Maggie was the only character who speaks directly to the reader. I think I’ve figured that out, but I’ll let you draw your own conclusion. Telling the story this way works extremely well, and Maggie absolutely shines!
This is a well-written, engaging, intense, thrilling read. Everything you need to escape reality for awhile, and we all need that from time to time!
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions here are my own.
Wow oh WOW! So many twist and turns! The perfect juicy suspense! DJ Palmer has written a superb thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride and you may even say, How could you, but don’t throw the book just take a deep breath and keep reading!
Thank you in advance to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was not required. All words are my own.
This is the second book I’ve read by the author. The first one was the 2019 release “Saving Meghan”. These two books are connected, so they are standalone reads.
I have to hand it to St. Martin’s Press. Sometimes their “marketing” ideas are great! After requesting the book, and prior to receiving it, I got a “to show he cares” package. It consisted of a WONDERFUL scented Pine candle (which I still haven’t used), a letter to Nina from Simon, and a recipe card.
The cover is eerily calm and creepy. And, there will be some questionable language in it. Though the “F” word is not used in this book.
If you enjoy suspense novels with knowing up front who the bad guy is, you will probably enjoy this read. If you want it stretched out and be surprised – this will be a letdown. Readers who are observant will know that Simon Fitch is the bad guy, it is evident in chapter six (6). He is definitely a master manipulator, and this is seen by Maggie. Obviously, I hated Simon practically from the moment he is introduced.
In the first chapter, it starts off with a standard third person set-up – finding an abandoned boat. And, what is interesting – the character it starts with; isn’t seen or heard from again. That would’ve been an interesting plot angle to explore somewhere in this novel. So, right off this novel grabbed me.
From chapter two (2) to 29, it is told from Nina’s POV (3rd person) and 13 year old Maggie’s POV (1st person). However, from chapter 29 on, there was a new POV, also told in the third (3rd) person. And, it is in chapter 29 that there is little doubt as to who Simon is and what he is after.
The chain of events that begin this novel is set off by Nina’s husband, Glen, mysteriously disappearing. Now, 17 months later, she and her two children (Maggie and Connor) are moving into a house with Simon. Simon is also a teacher at Maggie’s school.
Nina is definitely naïve, with her son Connor worshipping Simon. The only “sane” voice of reason is Maggie. In addition to dealing with the Simon issue, Maggie also has her middle school drama. Even Nina’s friends Ginny and Susanna aren’t overly fond of Simon.
At the end of chapter 13, he is caught in a lie, but no one questions it except Maggie.
There are some questionable moments that made me roll my eyes – chapter 20 was an example, especially over a hairstyle.
The relatively short chapters made this a quick read, and I managed to read it in about six (6) hours. It was, at points, hard to put down. After the first break, I had managed to read 148 pages.
Overall, the plot was solid, but I found Simon’s motives a bit weak; considering his obsession with Nina and the outlandish efforts he went to. The main plot centered around the first wife (Allison) who disappeared. Her fate is never revealed, and his second wife, the deceased Emma.
Maggie at least has one ally – her friend Ben. He is her calm voice of reason, her sounding board, and her saving grace.
It isn’t until around chapter 31 that Nina starts seeing the “isolation” from her friends as a problem. Even when she starts analyzing the fact that Simon uses the same cologne as her missing husband, drives the same kind of truck, and even gets the same gifts – she tries to dismiss it, even to the point of doubting herself. Even when a disastrous even occurs, she still can’t see what is going on.
At times I wanted to shake Nina as she was believing Simon over everyone else. Finally about chapter 43, she begins to question things – including a bottle of ipecac.
For their part, and given their ages – Ben, Maggie, and even Connor start staking out Simon’s rental property when they all find problems with what he is saying. Connor does it only to prove his sister wrong.
After Maggie’s life is put in jeopardy, and Nina FINALLY catches him in a lie – Nina tosses him out of the house. It is at this point, where I wanted to yell FINALLY as she starts seeing him in a different light.
From there, it takes a stunning turn for Nina, something the readers knew about 30 chapters earlier. From there, things pick up rather quickly.
Another problem I had – both kids were seeing a therapist. While Nina’s “therapy” was featured – there was nothing about the kids, particularly Maggie who was having the most issues. It was a bit to believe that Maggie hadn’t told her therapist about Simon. This is a plot point I think the writer could’ve explored and added a bit more to the plot with, even after Maggie’s “accident” at school.
Maggie’s reflection at the end was interesting and eye-opening.
A gripping, suspenseful, haunting, page-turning read that combines torture, murder, and an obsessed controlling psychopath.
It was fascinating to read, but at the same time, it was like watching a train about to wreck while trying to signal the engineer who is oblivious to the impending havoc and chaos.
“Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you know them”.
Thank you St. Martins Press for this ARC of The New Husband! This book is sooo good! I literally could not put it down. When life happened, and I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up. Fans of twisty thrillers, this book is for you! Think of the movies “The Stepfather” but with a few more twists, and secrets. The story centers around Nina a mother of two, who was abandoned by her husband Glen. Glen went fishing one day and never returned. No body was ever found so they don’t know if Glen is dead, or just ran off. Nina has major resentment towards Glen because in his absence she has found out that the life she thought they had was all a lie. When Nina meets Simon who is a teacher at her daughters middle school she thinks shes found the man of her dreams. Simon is kind, loving, and always seems to know just what to do to make her happy. Nina’s teenage son Connor also really likes Simon and enjoys spending time with him. Nina’s daughter Maggie however hates Simon and feels her mother has betrayed her father Glen by moving on so fast. Maggie doesn’t believe that her dad would just disappear and leave the family. Maggie feels in her heart that her father is out there somewhere and has a good explanation for everything that has happened. When Nina and Simon move in together it becomes an even more tension filled home as Maggie refuses to accept Simon. As Nina spends more time around Simon she starts to realize that she really doesn’t know the man she moved in with, and that she hasn’t been told much about his past or past relationships. Nina starts to realize Simon may not be the man she thought he was and that her and her kids may be in danger. Nina sets out to get answers, but deep down hopes her fears are invalid and that Simon is the good man she initially thought he was. #stmartinspress #djpalmer
It took me forever to read this book, it was so draggy. I almost stopped reading it several times. I didn’t care for any of the characters but Maggie and her friend. They seem to be so much smarter than anyone else. More than half way through there’s a twist, one I didn’t see coming.
I think the last 5 or 6 chapters were the best if not a bit predictable. Thanks to St Martin’s Press for the early copy
The New Husband by D.J. Palmer
How well do we really know someone? Do you ever have the weird feeling that something is off? A split second look from someone? If you blinked, it would be gone and you would question if it was ever really there. It was probably your imagination, right?
After her husband, Glen, disappears, Nina starts to think that all is lost. Enter Simon. What happens when you meet someone wonderful? Someone who seems to know you only too well. He knows your likes, dislikes, favorite food, smells, your hopes and dreams. Simon is just such a person. Almost too good to be true. Not everyone is willing to take on an instant family. A mother with two teenage kids. Nina can’t believe her luck. But something is off. Her friends start to see it. Even her own daughter, Maggie, is against it. But why?
Everything is not as it seems. The essence of Nina is slowly slipping away. Gradually, she is losing sight of all that she held dear. Her friends, her family. But that is all part of the plan now isn’t it?
Buckle up folks. Fasten your seat belt. You are going to stay up late tonight. You won’t want to put this book down. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!! Happy reading.
Wow, wow, wow what a intense book it drags you in right from the beginning and it doesn’t let you go. I believe this is my second book by this author, and this one was even better than the first one. Overall I am a pretty hard reviewer, it takes alot for a book to pull 5 stars out of me. I have to be pulled in and it has to wrench my emotions from me, this book certainly does that. I figured out parts of the story in advance, but I certainly wasn’t expecting what we do learn in the book that was certainly a wow moment. I would definitely recommend this book to those that enjoy psychological thrillers.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from NetGalley and St. Martins Press, and this is my fair and honest review.
5 stars
I just finished a whirlwind read of D. j. Palmer’s The New Husband. I was totally engrossed in this psychological thriller. I found myself having outloud conversations with the characters especially Nina and Maggie who are also the narrators. There were some twists that I did not see coming. This is a fast, engrossing read. This was my first book by D. J. Palmer that I have read, but it will not be my last. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 of the last 5 books I’ve read have had a character in it with an abusive partner. And when I started this one, I thought “here we go again”. But, no this one was a roller coaster ride. From the moment almost halfway in that Maggie receives a text, the ride starts and doesn’t slow down at all. Very nicely pulled together, if a bit violent at the end. I couldn’t put it down. Four stars.